Main Cast (alphabetically): Kenneth Branagh as Iago Nicholas Farrell as Montano Laurence Fishburne as Othello Irene Jacob as Desdemona Michael Maloney as Roderigo Nathaniel Parker as Cassio
Comparison:
The 1995 film version of Othello was directed by Oliver Parker. In order to try and fit Shakespeare's original play in a two hour movie, Parker decided to take around 50% of the original text from the play (Berardinelli). Parker, also, wanted to make sure that this film could be viewed by anyone and that it was a more modern version, and according to film critic James Berardinelli, he has done just that.
Irene Jacob acts even more of a "dimmer bulb" than the usual Desdemona
Kenneth Branagh's role of Iago "seems less a bitter man," mostly having fun with giving his lines a "snippy spin"
Laurence Fishburne, taking on a huge role, was surprisingly strict in his role; however he failed to convey a "pure pleasure" in his wife which would have made her fake betrayal more painful
Main Cast (alphabetically):
Trailer
Review by James Berardinelli
Review by Ken Tucker
Comparison:
The 1995 film version of Othello was directed by Oliver Parker. In order to try and fit Shakespeare's original play in a two hour movie, Parker decided to take around 50% of the original text from the play (Berardinelli). Parker, also, wanted to make sure that this film could be viewed by anyone and that it was a more modern version, and according to film critic James Berardinelli, he has done just that.
- Irene Jacob acts even more of a "dimmer bulb" than the usual Desdemona
- Kenneth Branagh's role of Iago "seems less a bitter man," mostly having fun with giving his lines a "snippy spin"
- Laurence Fishburne, taking on a huge role, was surprisingly strict in his role; however he failed to convey a "pure pleasure" in his wife which would have made her fake betrayal more painful
(Tucker)Works Cited
Berardinelli, James. "Othello (1995)." Reel Views. 1995. 14 Dec. 2008
<http://www.reelviews.net/movies/o/othello.html>.
"Othello (1995)." The Internet Movie Database. 2008. amazon.com. 14 Dec. 2008
<http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114057/>.
Tucker, Ken. "Homebard (1995)." EW.com. 22 Dec. 1995. Entertainment Weekly. 14 Dec. 2008
<http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,300031,00.html>.